Need help/support

[Foxshot 0]

Hey everyone, I have a question that is really nagging at me. I apologize for not having a complete time line, but I will try to explain my situation before asking question. Right now both a K3 visa and a CR1 visa application are both being processed.

For the k3: Today I just recieved letter from NVC that within a week the consulate in my spouse's country will receive package. So according to flowchart/time lines, there is perhaps just over a month left before the k3 would be approved and my spouse could come to US.

CR1: Yesterday I received the I 864 package that I need to fill out and return to NVC. My spouse has emailed (twice) and also mailed the power of attourney form, but has yet to recieve a response. Again, roughly geussing, but perhaps there is still a good 2-4 months left for CR1 to be complete for my spouse to enter US.

I live in California, my spouse lives in New Zealand. So I imagine anything that is being processed over there will happen relatively quickly, however anything proccessed in California is probably going to take a long time.

So here is what is nagging me and asking for opinions:

Without going into anything, I feel like I have wasted a lot of time the last couple years organzing my life and my spouse's life while we figured things out(pre-marriage). Now, I am worried that though we have been apart for so long, if my spouse returns as soon as possible as on the k3 we will be wasting a lot more time. According to time chart they are proccessing AOS from May. So if my spouse enters on a k3, she will be unable to work or go to school for half a year or more(this is correct, right?).

Of course the other hand is, we can wait for however much longer(maybe close to how long AOS would take?) for the CR1 to process, and just have her enter already on temp status.

We defenitely want to be together in april, which is our annivsary.

I geuss it comes down to logic(cr1) vs heart(k3). I don't completely trust of any the time charts, so I don't know for sure which visa would be the most worth benefit vs loss. For now, of course, we are still going through with both. I geuss I am just looking for any advice, help, supoprt. Thanks in advance.

[aussiewench 9]

Foxshot

Did your wife make you her choice of agent? How long ago did she mail the choice of agent to NVC? Have you called the NVC automated phone service to hear the latest on your case? You can also follow the prompts to speak directly with an operator.

At a guess you are possibly still looking at 6-8 weeks at NVC. I would say yes you are correct in that an interview will be scheduled relatively fast in New Zealand. Its not unlike Australia. So 4 months would be on the upper side of an estimate providing there is no delays with security checks at NVC.

Had you had a read of the NVC Timesavers Thread & James Shortcuts? It more than likely could of saved you time. You still can use James Shortcuts for the DS-230 and save yourself a little time at least. There is a link in my signature.

I am a big fan of the immigrant visa as it will grant your wife immigrant status on entry. With your two paths being relatively close together like they are, I would suggest waiting for the CR-1.

[MaryandMian 1]

Foxshot,

Everything Aussie said is correct in her estimate of time for the finalization of your paperwork being reviewed on the CR1. I personally like the CR1 since you are free to travel, do not have to apply for an EAD to work in the USA and your social security card and green card arrive within one month to six weeks from POE. Plus, no more fees when you enter the country unlike the K3 you have to apply for the EAD.

Good luck on your decision.

Mary

[xuemei 0]

I agree, you are so close to the CR1. if you go to the K3 interview, she will still have to file all the paperwork again for AOS and EAD is my understanding, If you wait on the CR1 and she passes, you are done. a bonus is if you are married over 2 years at that point, she will automatically get the 10 year green (IR1)card as opposed to the 2 year green card(cr1). Good luck